Perception of loneliness and life satisfaction in the elderly during the COVID-19 pandemic process

This study was conducted to evaluate the perception of loneliness and life satisfaction among the elderly during the COVID-19 pandemic process. A descriptive-correlational study was carried out between July and October 2020. The study enrolled 216 individuals over the age of 65. A sociodemographic information form, the Loneliness Scale for the Elderly, and the Life Satisfaction Scale were used as data collection tools. Mann-Whitney U-tests, Kruskal-Wallis H-tests, and correlation analysis were used in the statistical processing of data. Ethics committee approval was obtained before the study started. It was found that 68.5% of the elderly in the study were female, their average age was 70.15 ± 5.48, 63.0% were married, the total average of the Loneliness Scale of the Elderly was at a moderate level (8.23 ± 4.90), and the total of the Life Satisfaction Scale at a low level (2.43 ± 1.10). Scores for the Loneliness Scale of the Elderly total and its emotional loneliness dimension were found to be significantly higher in the elderly who replied it was difficult to stay at home. It was found that the life satisfaction of the elderly who felt well, who did not feel partially lonely, who were satisfied with life, and who were not living alone was significantly higher (all P < 0.05). Isolation of the elderly under pandemic conditions affects their life satisfaction negatively. For the improvement of elderly health and life satisfaction, evaluation of the psychosocial determinants of health such as loneliness and life satisfaction is essential, and parallel to this evaluation, it is important for public health nurses to plan and implement appropriate interventions to reduce loneliness and increase life satisfaction.